OH, NO!

I have a condition that brings true enjoyment to my wife and I just realized that by playing with the color in my previous post I've caused myself more suffering. I was looking to make the words red, white, and blue. I couldn't use white as no one would be able to see it. But, using the color I did, several people will not be able to see it; including myself. I'm one of those people afflicted with being color blind. It frustrates me, but it can be very funny. The arguments are easily stopped by my wife stating, "Are you going to argue color with me?" And I really can't. That's one I'll never be able to win against my wife, among others.

I had a late start so I don't have much time to post. My oldest has a graduation (from elementary school) tonight. Don't think I'll have time to write tonight.

Till next time.

Another Holiday Weekend.

Happy Memorial Day

And a big THANKS to all those who served.

Dave.

New experiences.

I was pulled to what's called a "Specialty Clinic" today. It's pretty much a doctors office in the Federal Hospital. I was doing the initial screening of patients. You know, Why are you here? What kind of problems are you having? That sort of thing. The people I'm working with are very nice and helpful. I will put in for a transfer if a position opens.

Not much time to write today as I was fairly busy. It looks like the plans might be falling through for Pittsburgh. It may be changed back to Philadelphia. I guess we'll have to wait to see how things go.

Time to pick up the vans.
Later.

The crater of no return.

Today my oldest will be on a field trip. Their going to the Capital. They should have a good time. The only problem is, I've been awake since four A.M. I didn't sleep well and I'm tired. I'm sure to be grouchy today.

I don't know if anyone else had any problems, but I couldn't do anything with my blog on Tuesday. Yesterday I didn't get much chance to do anything at home, let alone on the computer. It was either my server or theirs that was down. At least I can do something today.

The trip to Philadelphia looks like it's going to be a trip to Pittsburgh instead. That part will be much nicer, shorter trip. I didn't know if there was going to be a stop there or not. They originally had Pittsburgh posted on their website, but took it down; it's now back up. The only problem I have is one of the guy's girlfriend has invited herself along. And to top it off, she just recently "got into" Bruce Campbell. Eric said that they have a "B" movie night. When they showed BC, she bad mouthed the entire thing. We were looking at more of a guy road trip, but we'll see. I just don't know how this is going to go. I will be renting a van for our trip. I found a deal on one for thirty dollars a day with 150 miles/day.

I've been reading the book I got, "If Chins Could Kill". It's very fascinating how he grew up and fell into the group of people that he did. I'm also learning a great deal about what it takes to make a "B" movie. It makes you want to go out and start filming everything and anything. But then again, I've always wanted to do horror make-up. I think it's interesting how you can take latex, shape it in a certain way, and it's looks life-like on film. I've even experimented with it a little. It's just not financially feasible to play with it at this point. Maybe when I win the lottery I'll be able to play with it more; even though I don't play the lottery.

As I've said in the past, our census is very low at the moment. People are starting to worry about losing their jobs. It wasn't all that long ago that they tried to close one of the floors in the Hospital. The community fought, so they kept it open. Now the entire Hospital is worrying about having a job. The census is low in every area. If something doesn't change soon, I'm sure they're going to have to "down size" staff. It just isn't plausible to keep paying all this staff to care for a handful of veterans. I guess we will see what the Federal Government has in store for us.

I was trying to change the entire layout of my site when the server went wonky. I have a great code for the overall blog. I just need to find the right picture to place on the side so the writing will be able to be read. I tried a picture of a castle in Germany that my cousin sent to me, but it didn't work. You couldn't make out any of the words as they scrolled across. I'll keep plugging in new pictures until I find one that works. Then I'll have a completely different look to my site. I think this one looks generic. Well, duh. Maybe because it is a generic site, chosen from many other generic sites that were available, free, when I first started. Not that they are a bad thing, it's just time to move on. Time to quit looking at the world through the window and get out and be part of it. Make my own little niche in society. Well, more like a splinter that you never even noticed.

I might try my hand at a few make-up techniques in preparation for Halloween. If anything works out, I'll post some photo's. Of course you won't be able to actually see me for what I look like, but hopefully the effects will be the same. If I go really big and disguise myself enough to change my appearance I'll post them. It's that whole paranoia thing again.

It's early and I won't be doing much so I'll probably post again today.

Til then.

Meaningless Ramblings of the Mindless.

It's a very dreary day here. No sun, raining, fog, a wonderful day for staying in bed and reading. Here I am in the hospital, working. Our census is low at the moment; incredibly low. I'm sure I won't have time to write when our numbers return to normal.

Insanity appears to be a wondrous escape. If only there were some way to find a route back.

There are several more joining our book tour journey. I think we'll definitely be renting a larger vehicle. I may be starting a mailing list so everyone can be informed of all the ideas and information at one time. I would never have guessed there were that many people, in such close proximity of me, that were fans of Bruce Campbell. I guess it's true what they say about birds flocking and such. If the list continues to grow, we may need a band wagon for everyone to jump onto. I'm off tomorrow, so I'll be calling to find information on renting a vehicle for memorial day and prices for our trip to Philadelphia. I'm going to try to get an itinerary set up, but I'd like to get everyone's thoughts beforehand. I really don't want to be late getting there. With my luck they'll close the signing before we get through.

I need to buy some more drywall for the walls. I also need to get rid of some 3/4 inch flake board. We have several sheets that we really have nothing to do with. I'm planning on using some when I remove and rebuild our porch, but other then that we don't know what to do with flake board that thick. My wife wanted me to use it for the walls just to get it used, but it's too big/thick. Maybe I'll build a workshop in the side yard. Either way, I need to make a trip to the lumber yard and finish my projects. I'll be tearing the porch down in July when I have a week of vacation, I think. I need to clear out the stuff (my uncle's) from under it beforehand. Most of which will probably just need burned or junked. It's going to take a while to get the porch done.

My shifts almost over, so it's time to end; for the time being. I'll be doing research later tonight, so I might get to write more. I'd like to also try to make some soap, but we need to do some shopping first. We'll see what comes at me.

Later, if anyone's out there.

Bruce Campbell....Again?!

Yesterday I got the book I ordered, "If Chins Could Kill". Now to see about the next book, "Make Love The Bruce Campbell Way". I hope to get it before June 20th so I don't have to buy it at the book signing. What a road trip that's going to be! I'm hoping nothing changes with the signing. It doesn't matter when or where he's going to be in Pa, I'll switch with someone and go. I just don't want it to effect Eric or Rod.

The women I work with were talking about the Megan's Law (children sexual offenders) and the web site. They looked at our area and were surprised to see how many there were in our little are. I think they were a little more surprised by how many I knew (from working in the prison). They were then interested in what else I knew and some of the experiences I had with them. They couldn't believe some of the people on the list. They kept saying things like, "He looks so normal" or "He looks too old to do anything". With the last comment, I told them about an older gentleman I met while giving medication.

It was early in my nursing career, and I always asked for their side of the story. You know, "What are you in for?" This particular person told me that he was in on some B.S. charges. He was babysitting his granddaughter one day and she just wouldn't listen. So he told her if she didn't behave he was going to give her a lickin'. He said she kept it up, and kept it up. So, he pulled her pants down, put her on the counter, and gave her a "lickin'".

One of my coworkers turned and said, "I never had to pull my children's pants down when I gave them a licking2." At that point I told her, "He was 'LICKING'1 her. You were giving your children a licking2." No one said much after that, except maybe, "EW!" Just remember, it doesn't matter what someone looks like, or how they act. You never know what goes on in someone's mind! And people wonder why I'm paranoid.

More on another day.

"Frustra fit per plura quod potest fieri per pauciora."

Another weekend, another day at work. I'm looking into take a course in IT. I love computers and trying to figure them out. I have a lot of looking to do. I need to narrow down what aspect of it I want to do. As well as how I want to go about doing it - ie. online or institution. I need to get a four year degree under my belt and get it done with. Slowly but surely I'm making my way there. I've finally talked myself into seriously looking at my options. Now I just need to fine tune the entire issue. Oh well, we'll see how it goes. I'm ever the pessimist, looking for something to go wrong. It drives my wife mad, one of many things I do.

It looks as though it's a go for the Bruce Campbell book signing in Philadelphia. Not only does it look like Eric and myself, but Rod, Eric's friend of numerous years, also a talented graphic artist, could be talked into going as he's also a big fan. We're going on a trip for Memorial day and we're going to look into renting a van. If it's reasonable, I might rent one for the Philly trip. That would give us room to spread out and relax on the way there and back. Maybe I'll even rent a portable DVD player. I know a local car rental shop advertises that they give you one with certain rentals. Either way, when the three of us get together, chaos is sure to follow.

A major portion of the wall is finished. Now it's the tedious task of taping, spackling, and sanding. I might wait until I get the other wall (in the bathroom) done and just do both of the fine detains at once. The finishing work is what I hate the most. It's dirty and dusty and very time consuming. But then again, it could also be that I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I really should seek therapy. It may be taken care of when my anxiety(?) issue is resolved. I know they can go hand in hand. I'm just a big ole psych mess. But at least I'm functional, well sort of.

I think when I get home I'm going to get started on the bathroom. I need to find a place for the wafer board so it won't be in the way. Now, you have to realize our bathroom was an addition to the house. It's a big room with a furnace, commode, tub/shower, and sink in it. I'm going to separate the room with a wall and create a walk in closet/changing room. The entire house is a piece of *&%$. The best thing I could do to it is have the fire department use it for practice. It's old and was built by hand by an alcoholic; honestly. Nothing in the house is level or straight. Every floor is warped in one way or another. It was built using old railroad timbers in some places and with newspaper for insulation. I don't mean the ground up cellulose of today. I'm talking about newspaper stapled to the inside of the walls. We found that out when we installed new windows and realized we also had to get some insulation into the walls. That could have been why the house was always cold. Hopefully some day we'll be able to afford to have the house demolished and have a new one built. It's all we have at the moment though. We'll have to make due until that day comes; which it will eventually.

My goodness I got long winded today. Sadly enough it only took about half of an hour to come up with all this. I should probably end so I'll have something to complain I mean talk about tomorrow.

Stay tuned.

I should be in...Well, anywhere but here.

Today the so called "recreation dept." had their brunch. Since I'm pushing the medication cart, I got to chase everyone down to make sure they got their meds. It's just a pain in the but.

My mother-in-law appears to be doing well. She's suppose to be on a low fat, low cholesterol diet, but that will never happen. She was to change the bandages every day but has yet to change them. She stated that she's not to get the wound wet and she doesn't have the same type of dressing. I'll have to look to see if I can find some. My wife gave her hell and the lecture about infections.

Tomorrow is my day off. If I don't stop after work tonight I'll stop tomorrow to see about a new cell phone for my oldest. I'd like to get a picture phone so that when it's used, it can be sent to a moblog. I think it would be cool to see the trip from France through Italy, ending in Malta, through my child's eyes. Especially if I set it up to post when the picture is taken. I'd have to link the site on here to share with everyone. I can't wait! I think that would be the best birthday gift anyone could give me.

Just for background: My oldest child was accepted into the People to People Student Ambassabor Program. There program is The Heart of The Mediterranean. If anyone would like to donate, the button is at the top of the blog. I'll send you a copy of all the photos taken if you make a donation. If you know of something else I could repay your generosity with let me know (I have about 500lbs of chocolate bars :~} ). We have been doing fundraisers for months now. It only seems like forever. It's tough collecting that much money for one child, but I'd do it all over again if I was asked. It will be a once in a lifetime trip.

I need to do more then just hyperlink. I'm going to pull out the old HTTP language books out and brush up on it. You may see some things that just don't look right in the next few days. If so, let me know so I can change it and make it right. I'll thank everyone ahead of time - THANK YOU. I'm sure to make mistakes, as I'm only human. But I hope to reformat my entire site. I'm always tearing things apart to see how they work and to find out what I can change them into. Now we'll see how badly I can screw things up.

Enjoy the weekend everyone. I'll be sure to write as I'm working.


OH YEA. I almost forgot. In commemoration of the release today:
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

Fuming and Raging

Another day and it's Wednesday. I'm still feeling on edge, my BP is around the normal side so I know it's not that. I just feel like I'm going to snap on someone at times. It feels like I just can't relax. I will definitely have to address this when I go to my next appointment.

I ordered something else last night; an autographed copy of "If Chins Could Kill". I bought it from Amazon. I really hope to get to the book signing so I can buy his newest book. Either way, I'm sure to buy a copy of it one way or another. I should know tomorrow if Eric is even interested in going, if my wife remembers to tell him about it.

I need to buy a parenting book on how to deal with pre-teens. I'm getting frustrated at the way my oldest is ignoring everything anyone says ("Huh? What?) and asks like an idiot ("I didn't know you had to do that.") This child is very intelligent, but something must happen when they become eleven or twelve. Is it just me, or is anyone else having these problems? It appears as though a child loses there mind at a certain age. Do they also get VERY lazy? We can't a job done by this child for love or money. It takes an act of God to get the dog walked and fed. And to keep water in the dog bowl would be like parting the Red sea. I don't know, maybe it's just me. That could be one of the reasons I feel like I'm going to snap.

It also seems as though I can't do anything right with my wife. I believe she's been mad at me for a week or more. At least she's been in a bad mood that long. Maybe it's because she's worried about her mom. I'll see when I get home as she's spending the day with her.

Oh, I almost forgot. My Mother-In-Law returned from the hospital yesterday (which is why she's taken most of the week off). Her cholecystectomy appears to have gone well. They thought there were gall stones in the bile duct so they scoped her; nothing was found. They believe if there were any, she passed them. So, she's home as of yesterday and even allowed to babysit. The doctor said she just has to be careful not to lift too much weight, but lifting the baby is fine. My father might be stopping in to check up on her (I didn't know my wife was going to be there until just a few minutes ago), as I'm sure her family will, or they'll at least call every fifteen minutes.

It's Wednesday, which means soccer practice. I think we'll order from a local pizza shop and get salads and pizza. When we order there, we usually get salads and subs/hoagies/po-boys/submarine sandwiches - whatever you call them in your area. I think that will be a nice change. It's terrible when you don't have the time to cook before running, and eating afterwards would be way to late.

I'll try to keep in touch.

A change is in the wind....Or I smell something bad.

Looking back on yesterdays post I may have overdone the hyperlinks. It seems as though I went a little crazy with them. The good thing, for me at least, is I found many websites I never knew existed while looking for links to place in the post. The Bruce Campbell site is just incredible. As well as the site for THGTTG. It's amusing to know that there is a site for everything.

Last night I ordered Bruce Campbell's new comic books, "The Man With The Screaming Brain." It's the original story that Bruce wrote but "had" to change for the soon to be released movie. There are alternate covers for each comic. Four of Four original and an alternate cover for each. I ordered/pre-ordered all of the originals and placed the alternates on my wish list. The first comic has already been released. The third is to be released on my birthday. How cool is that? I couldn't resist buying them because of that. It was a sign.

I thought I was going to be off the week he was coming through the area but I was off by a month. I'm going to try to get to either Pittsburgh or Philadelphia to his book signing. I'll see if a guy my wife works with, Eric, would want to try and go. We're both big fans. He may be a bigger fan than myself. He's a graphic artist. He's very talented. He's made his own action figures and can draw anything. He's even made a set of action figures out of plastic table ware. We would have a blast on a road trip to buy Bruce Campbell's latest book at the signing. If I do get there, and if I can get a picture, it's sure to make it's way onto my blog.

I'll keep you posted, as if your interested.

Holy megatroids.

Had a good weekend as I went to the movies, twice. I made it quite clear to everyone that since I had this weekend off, I was going to see "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy". I went on Sunday to see that. If you don't like English comedy, don't know much about THHGTTG, or find it hard to follow a movie, or just don't like, the narrator explaining things to you, then you probably won't like this movie. It's an intellectually funny movie. Again, if your not into higher thinking humor, don't bother. Several people got up and left part way through the movie. We (see below) liked the movie just fine. It could have been better, but it would have needed to be like "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy.

I read all four books in the series in high school and became a big fan of Douglas Adams'. I've read everything of his that I could get my hands on. Now, my oldest liked the movie (the two of us went to see it) and is interested in the books. I just found out that there was a BBC TV series on THHGTTG and I'd love to see it. If anyone has information on it please send me an email, it's available in my profile. I would also like to find a working (on Windows)copy of the games. The last time I played THHGTTG it was on my Commodore 64. I had a blast playing it. The version I played was like Zork. It was all text and no graphics.

My wife decided on Saturday that we would go with her brother and mother to the drive in to see "XXX - The State of The Union" and "Hitch". XXX was alright, it just didn't have a believable plot, many obviously fake stunts, and everything just seemed cheesy. The plot was the worst part about it. They could have easily made a better story line without much effort. Hitch was cute. It was the old boy meets girl and messes things up, but gets the girl back type of film. I like Will Smith and his acting career. He's a decent enough actor, and has picked good roles to play.

Now, I love movies, and I really enjoy a Drive in. But I would love to open a theatre and bring back some of the old classics with all the tricks and gadgets. The movie that pops into mind first is "The Tingler". They would place a small pad under a few seats that would send a harmless mild electric shock into the person/s sitting on it. It was a gimmick that scared the daylights out of people. There was also "Smell-O-Vision" that turned into "Odorama". I'd also like to bring back the 3D experience of old and all sorts of things like that.

I love B movies, and know that there is a following out there. The knew king of B films is Bruce Campbell. I would have everything he did or does shown in my theatre. And I would want a theatre like the old style. A movie house with a great front that draws you into it. Or, one that looks abandoned and a ramshackle, at least for horror films. I love the old horror films that scared the crap out of you instead of the newer films that spray blood and gore all over the place and have naked or half-naked college girls running in fear of nothing. You shouldn't need to include nudity to bring in hormonal teenage boys to make money. Give me a psychological, scare you until you mess your pants movie any day.

Well, back to work. I'm sure to talk more of Bruce Campbell later.

Somehow we're all connected.

I was asked to link/be linked to a Nursing website ring. I've associated with worse before, a lot worse. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to belong to a larger group. They may reconsider after learning more about me though. I'm a little different than most, I've just learned to blend in quite well. It's just proof that we're all connected in one way or another. I realized that after the game "seven degrees to Kevin Bacon". Or at least that's what I think it's called. It's eerie how easily that game works out.

Today I had to do a CPR course at work. It went quite well. I'm finishing this post a little late in the day so it won't be very long. As a matter of fact, I'm done.

Gotta go home.

Wake up and smell the...WHAT the @#%* is that?

It was a quiet morning today.

I haven't been sleeping well lately. Another concert for my oldest child tonight. I'll be running myself ragged again. I hope I'll be able to go home and fall asleep. If not I'll be playing with my computer. Last night I was cleaning my hard drive up and erasing things I don't need or have two of. I download things all the time and get different copies without realizing it. I have a hard drive full of things that either need burned to a CD or erased. I also had over six hundred emails to read. And no, I'm not that popular, I belong to a soap making email list. I hope to make round bars and laundry soap soon.

My mind is wondering like crazy today. I'm all over the place. I need to learn to relax a little. I also need something other than this blog to blow off steam.

This is funny, we're talking at work about panhandlers. I know some people are homeless and need help, but there are too many crooks out there. We were joking about that being our next career move because of how much money that some of them make. Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for all those that need help. I'm just cynical because of the lies, tricks, and thievery I've seen working in the prison system as well as the Public Welfare System. Again, I need to lighten up a bit, I know.

Go ahead and give me the business over my opinions, I don't mind. Bye for now, have to get back to work.

It's a beautiful day in someone's neighborhood.

Ah, health problems. I had to go to the doctors for a "check-up" Monday. I have been out of my blood pressure medication and went in to get it reordered. My examination consisted of the student physician taking my blood pressure and asking me some simple questions. Then the doctor came in, reviewed the findings and wrote me a prescription. I also said about being on "edge" lately, so I will have to return in three to four weeks. I'm not sure why I've been snapping so much lately. Today I have that medicine head feeling, although I haven't taken anything. I don't know if it's my blood pressure medication or what. I just don't feel right.

I'll be finishing up with the first wall sometime this week, although not tonight (see previous posts referencing Wednesday nights). Then it's on to wall number two. That's the one that will be a job. I haven't decided exactly what I'm doing in the bathroom yet. I have several ideas about what to do with it. It's also going to take some time to run the wire for another light. I hope I at least get it narrowed down when it comes time to start that build. We shall see.

The chorus concert went well. My oldest must have stage fright as there was a look of fear(?) that was piercing. It was funny as some did their own little things. A girl danced, another sang, and then a group (three girls and one boy) sang together. It was short, so we went for ice cream afterwards. There we happened to see my cousin and his wife. They came over to see and she had to hold the baby. She liked the fact that our youngest actually stayed in her arms. We talked about many things, including his brother in Germany who I just happened to email before hand. Weird!

It's the end of the day, so I'll have to wrap it up for now. Later all.

My personal insanity.

In case anyone hasn't caught on to the fact, I don't give up too much information on my "personal" life. For example: I have mentioned my children, but I have never mentioned their names, sex, or anything that would set them apart; make them unique. I guess I'm a bit paranoid, and that comes from working in the prison system. It's also why I have a problem putting a picture on here. When you deal with hundreds of people that would use any personal information they could get against you, it sort of makes you that way. My wife yells at me because I get mad when my children's pictures are put on display. I've learned how pedofiles hunt and get children, and it's easier than most people think. I've been privy to what sort of things are in their minds, how they think. I've walked into schools, many schools, many times, and have seen pictures of children with their names and hobbies on display. Seems innocent enough, but that gives a child molester an edge on the child. They know things about them. They know who they are. How many adults would think twice if a stranger came to them and said, "Hey, (your name). Your friend Jane was telling me about the garden (or science project) you just finished. Told me it was really something to see. Maybe, if your not busy later, I could take a look at it to see if I could get any ideas for my own." Tell you that you met each other before but you probably don't remember as it was just briefly.

I should probably listen to my wife and relax a little bit. But it's difficult when I think of what people are capable of. Things would also be different if I didn't have a family (not that I would want that). It would be one thing for me to have a problem with an ex-convict, but for one to go after my family, that's different.

I'm going to have to return to this topic at another time because I have a chorus concert to attend. The oldest of the above, slightly mentioned munchkins is going to sing. I might mention how it was if time permits.

Next topic might be - Health Problems. Ooh. Something to look forward to.

A little goes a long way!

I found out that I can add a little something different to my site. So I added a way that everyone can help me get my Harley! Make your donations right under my counter. I figure if everyone gives me a penny, I'll have it before I retire! YEA!!!!

I'm also going to try to ad a photo. I know I said it would never happen, but you know what they say about saying never.

IT'S MOMMY'S DAY

Well,

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I hope everyone enjoys the day. You deserve it. Or at least my mother and wife worked hard for it. It's amazing how much I put them through. The people I work with are starting to learn about the type of person I was in high school from some of my stories. I was an awful person. After meeting and dating my wife I changed completely. So I owe her more then anyone will ever know.

Again,

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Mother's Day is coming to town.

Our mother's are getting a late Mother's Day gift. My wife accidentally ordered two Scrapbooking kits and they're not here yet. She originally wanted to order one for her mom, but two were ordered so our gift shopping was done. I know my mom will like it, she likes Scrapbooking. My wife is apparently going to make out like a bandit. My oldest child said that my mother-in-law got gifts from them, and I got her Glow perfume by JLO. I don't care for "Jenny from the block" but Glow smells wonderful. I hope she likes it. I wanted to get her Miami Glow, but I can't find it anywhere.

I strayed away from the wall! It's still just a skeletal frame of a wall. I needed to pick some things up for my mother-in-law and got behind doing other things: getting the perfume. I wouldn't have had enough time to do much with the wall by the time I was done, so I wired a light and two switches in the stairwell. I'm not sure I like the way it works. I might change the way it's wired. At the moment, when the switch at the bottom of the steps is up and the light at the top is up the light is on. You can turn it on and off upstairs only if the bottom light switch is up. If it's down, it doesn't matter where the switch is positioned, the power to the light is off. It works, but it's just odd to me. I might look for a different wiring schematic and change the way it's wired. Maybe it's just me, I'll see what I find.

Well, till next time.

Greetings from Nowheresville

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO! Drink Cuervo and DOS Equis and be merry.




Tonight's the night of the pizzeria dinner. I'll buy my beer and drink them at home. I'll also eat salsa and chips just to make it legitimate. It's hard to eat Mexican at an Italian eatery.

Nothing was done to the wall last night, there might not be anything done tonight. I think we'll be shopping after we get done eating. If that's the case, we'll be out most of the night. I'm off tomorrow, so I should be able to finish it then. I don't remember if I have something to do or not. If not, I'll be able to get it done.

The Government is a very odd place to work. Things are done because "they've been done that way for years." If someone has an idea it must go through forty people before it can be denied. If there's new technology that will improve or simplify a process, we'll get it right away - in ten to twenty years.

The Continuing Saga of a Mad Man.

Well, the wall is studded out, but I'm told it won't get covered today. My wife informed me that after our eldest child's soccer practice we'll be watching "Lost". Nothing happens during lost. We are hooked on this show. I hope that "Lock" isn't going to be killed tonight. I think he's the most intriguing character on the show right now. And scientists wonder why Americans are over weight. Do away with television and very few people would be sitting around doing nothing all day. I better take that back; we have computers and video games to occupy any unused time. We've been doomed since the C.R.T. was invented.

Tomorrow we have to go out to eat. A local pizza shop gives a percentage of everything to our school. They do it the first Thursday of every month, so we eat there to support the school. And as a little bonus: we don't have to cook for a night. I guess my makeshift building techniques will have to resume then. I hope the "wall" will stand until then.

Later days.

Another Day In La La Land.

I hope this works as we are having computer problems. We have that a lot. Our IT department is made mostly of folks who know a small amount about computers that happened to take the position. They're learning as they go. Sadly enough, the people I work with come to me with computer questions because I know more about them then the IT department. I hope to work my way into an IT position here some day, just to make it better.

I feel good today. Yesterday I got a wall framed in. Hopefully I'll put the studs in place tonight. Then tomorrow I'll cut the plywood and cover the wall. I'm building two new walls to make new/more rooms. One will be a small nursery/bedroom for our newest addition. The other will be in the bathroom. I"m making a walk in closet/changing room to replace the "closet" we're giving up to make the nursery/bedroom. The house doesn't actually have any closets, just open space that was turned into closet/storage space. This will change the layout of the house slightly, but it will be more useful for us. Now it's just getting the work done. Then hopefully I'll be able to get the porch torn off and replaced on my "vacation".

My oldest seems to enjoy learning how to build things too. Thinks it's amazing how you can take a chisel and a hammer and make a notch in one piece of wood to fit another into it. Maybe someday they'll get to see a carpenter do a "professional" job. Until then they're stuck watching me fumble my way through it.

We'll see how it goes.

Life in a small town.

This is a very depressed area that I live in. Since the railroad and coal mines took a turn for the worse, and the factories have started to close, unemployment has been up. The local media claims it's steadily going down, but that's due to everyone moving to better places. A local business man decided it would be a good idea to make/open a new strip mall. It would bring "needed" jobs and commerce. That was about three years ago. As I sit here I can look across and see the progress they're making. One building is finished, nothing else. They made to State give them a grant for the money to build a four lane highway that would go through it. It's only sitting feet from our main State highway. And recently it was announced that he's looking to sell the "project", but claims it's not about money.

Just for background information:
We had two malls in the area but was has closed and a medical center bought it and took over. The other mall is within walking distance of the ground for the new one, and they can't fill all of the store fronts. From our hospital windows we've seen them move dirt from one area to another for the past several years (while constructing one building with no access). And the date keeps getting pushed back for the "Grand Opening". Several companies have promised to open stores in the new mall, only to back out after their proposed building date was pushed back by more than a year. Several millions of dollars have already been wasted on the project without any signs of completion in the near future.

It amazes me how our local government can stand on their soap boxes and report about the jobs and revenue that this new mall will bring. Am I wrong in thinking that we should be insulted by the fact that people will lose a factory or railroad job (that many have worked at for ten or more years) making twelve or so dollars an hour so that they can work in a mall for minimum wage and are expected to be grateful to the local officials for providing the work?

We also have bicycle races in the area that started about ten years ago. It's called "Tour DeToona". People from all over the world come to participate and compete in a "Tour DeFrance" style race. Again, local officials claimed that it would bring money into the local economy which would be seen and felt by everyone. So far we've seen a few more hotels/motels than we did before. We have more restaurants per square mile then anywhere else I've seen (you could drive to approximately 12 or more in less than 10 minutes). We've had four grocery stores (that I can think of) close to be taken over by resale stores (selling refurbished electronics or bought-out clothing/supplies like Big Lots).

Now for the thing that has me most baffled: I've worked for the Welfare Dept. and a Drug Rehabilitation facility and I know how many people are on public assistance, social security, and social security disability (boy is that a while other story). I see more new vehicles, SUVs, ATVs, water crafts, and such than I've ever seen in this area before. It's not just me seeing this either. A guy I work with lives in an even more depressed area and has noticed the same thing. There are at least five Hummers in the area, mostly owned by the Sheets family (owners of a gas station/convenience store chain - 7 eleven competitors). Everyone seems to be spending money like it grows on trees, but there are few good paying jobs in the area. Business' come and go on seemingly a daily basis.

I'm not one for "keeping up with the Jones", but I can't help but feel I'm doing something wrong. I can't afford to pay attention let alone have two vehicles; and SUVs at that. It's very frustrating seeing all that money being wasted in the guise of a better tomorrow while I'm struggling to make ends meet today. Now don't get me wrong. I feel I have a pretty good life; although my wife would argue with me about that. Yes, we need a bigger or at least better house (ours is honestly horrible), but we have one, and we're getting by. I know there is always someone out there struggling with much more serious problems than I could ever imagine or want. But to throw that much money away when so many people could benefit from more important projects seems a tragedy and a sin. Sadly enough, since I work for the Federal Government I see it happening all around me. This country has billions of dollars to throw away, but we can't take care of our children or elderly. I should get into politics, but I can't afford to - HA! That's alright, I'm too honest and speak my mind to freely to ever make it in politics.

Well, I really got on a roll with that one. I started typing at 11:31 and it's now 2:40 (I worked in between - I usually only type on my breaks/lunch). Now I guess everyone can see what I mean about my mind running with a topic. I could probably write several pages just on this subject. This is why I put it here instead of telling it to someone for hours. I can get it off my chest in a Cliff Notes version. And if no one wants to "hear" it, it's still very therapeutic to me.

That's enough for now. I feel my blood pressure dropping by the minute. Thanks for your time if you actually read through this mess.

Here's to better times.